'World’s appetite for African minerals is growing rapidly'
Patrick Mulindwa Lubega, chief of staff of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, said there is a need for deeper regional integration, localised value addition and strategic global partnerships to drive mining growth across Africa.
Workers filtering soils suspected to contain gold in Buhweju district. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)
African mineral producers have been urged to leverage the surging global demand for critical resources to deliver socioeconomic benefits for local communities.
Patrick Mulindwa Lubega, chief of staff of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, said there is a need for deeper regional integration, localised value addition and strategic global partnerships to drive mining growth across Africa.
He made the remarks on Wednesday at the three-day African Mining Week in Cape Town, South Africa.
“The world’s appetite for African minerals is growing rapidly in minerals like copper, lithium for batteries and gold as a strategic reserve," he told the conference.
"The core question must be how these mineral export initiatives leave our people with real skills and economic benefits - we cannot simply be left with holes in the ground."
He emphasised the pivotal role of state-owned enterprises in negotiating equitable, high-value deals with international investors to secure long-term gains.
He advised the African National Mining Companies Forum, launched during the African Mining Week, to come up with a strategy for minerals value addition rather than exporting them in raw form.
Uganda's energy minister Dr Monica Musenero, is attending the conference in Cape Town.
She backed Lubega’s call for local impact, arguing that mining must be defined by investments made across the entire value chain rather than mere extraction
Patrick Mulindwa Lubega, Chief of Staff of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) remarks. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)
"We must focus on how we can maximise economic benefits by taking raw materials like tin mined in Uganda and adding significant value to them domestically."
The African Mining Week is an annual premier industry conference and platform that unites government leaders, mining executives, investors, and industry stakeholders to unlock Africa's mineral potential and drive sustainable growth.
This year's edition is themed 'Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa's Full Mineral Value'
Uganda has vast mineral resources, with over 27 commercially viable mineral types, spanning precious metals, base metals, energy minerals, and industrial raw materials.
From copper and limestone to iron ore and petroleum minerals, the list is diverse
Gold, for instance, is extracted by both artisanal and small-scale operations in Busia, Mubende, Namayingo and other districts in the Karamoja region. The Wagagai Gold Processing Plant in Busia district started operations in 2025.